Overview- CNS

Question 1

3 Goals when eval. a patient with CNS Dz

Answer 1

1. localize the lesion within the CNS
2. determine the underlying cause of the clinical signs
3. develop a prognosis and/or therapeutic plan for the individual patient

Question 2

List 2 parts of the NS

Answer 2

CNS (Central Nervous System)

PNS (Peripheral Nervous System)

Question 3

2 parts of the CNS

Answer 3

brain

spinal cord

Question 4

3 Common clinical signs seen in CNS Dz

Answer 4

Seizures & stupor/coma
Paresis/paralysis
Altered mentation & visual deficits

Question 5

What is the benefit of lesion localization?

Answer 5

there are a limited number of causes for lesions in certain locations

Question 6

What info can be obtained from a simple TPR in regard to CNS Dz

Answer 6

• Elevated temp indicates inflammatory or infectious condition
• Subnormal temp indicates lesion in thermoregulatory center of brain or the presence of circulatory shock
• Altered pulse/respiration may indicate cerebral or brainstem lesion

Question 7

List 4 major parts of neuro exam

Answer 7

Observation
Examination of cranial nerve function
Postural reaction
Spinal reflexes

Question 8

What things are observed on a neuro exam?

Answer 8

mental status
posture/head status
gait

Question 9

What things are observed when examining the cranial nerve function?

Answer 9

Ocular position and motion
Pupil size and response
Ability to swallow
Facial muscle symmetry and tone
Tongue muscle symmetry and tone

Question 10

What is conscious proprioception?

Answer 10

the ability of the animal to recognize the location and placement of its limbs without using vision as a guide

Question 11

How is proprioception evaluated?

Answer 11

a paw is placed in a flexed position so the dorsal surface is in contact with the floor; if normal, P will immediately correct; if abnormal, P will be slow to correct/not correct at all

Question 12

Explain a spinal reflex arc

Answer 12

Starts when the stretch receptors within a given muscle body are activated –> the stretch receptor then sends a message along the sensory neural fibers which end at their cell body located in the spinal cord –> sensory neuron then stimulates a motor neuron cell body located nearby –> stimulus is sent along the motor neural fibers of that cell –> muscle contracts as a result